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Happy Birthday_ “A Coat of Many Colors”

Today would have been my mother’s 98th birthday. I am feeling sad today as it became a tradition that I would be celebrating my birthday with my mom and sharing a cake. However, for the second year in a row, I am not traveling to Detroit or sharing cake and ice cream with my MOM DVasha. Instead, I am thinking of her as I do every day. 98 years young she is celebrating with J Harmon Moss today!Mom and Me at the Fat Ladies Club
(before Weight Watchers)

Things happen for a reason, and this morning on GMA, Dolly Parton sang her song, “Coat of Many Colors.” Although I am not a huge fan of Dolly Parton, I was drawn to listening to the interview this morning, and I am glad that I did because this song (mentioned above) honestly made me think of my beautiful mother and her exceptional talents.A Kiki Doll
(one of many from her doll creation)

My mother loved to sew and create. Her talents are not just limited to her sewing but her baking as well. Growing up as much as I appreciated my mother’s sewing creations, there were many times in my younger days that I wished I could just go to the store like my friends and buy new clothes. Instead, my wardrobe grew when my mom sewed for me. As beautiful and unique as her garments were too often they were selected in colors, patterns or fabrics of her choice, not mine. One very vivid memory I have is when all my friends were wearing navy blue box pleat skirts. My mother did sew me a beautiful box pleat skirt but, in turquoise, blue shade. Although I wore the skirt, I hated it at the time because it was not navy blue. TODAY I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING IF MY MOTHER COULD SEW ME A NEW SKIRT IN ANY DESIGN OR COLOR.

An early design from the KIKI Fashions collection
(Mom loved sewing pinafores)

This morning when I listened to Dolly sing “Coat of Many Colors,” I realized that I was a fortunate girl, having such a talented mother who was devoted to making me some beautiful clothes, that I often did not appreciate at the time. What I did understand was all the love my mother put on my wedding dress. As with so many other outfits she made me, she made it to her liking, but this one dress I was willing to have it be as much her dream as mine. That’s when I started to mature.Mom loved us all unconditionally –I did not realize this most of my life!

Here are the lyrics to a “Coat of Many Colors.” Although my garments were not made from rags, they often designed using remnants, leftover fabric from someone else’s outfit, or reconstructing pre-made clothing. These words just resonant how much I truly appreciate all the love my mother shared with me.

Back through the yearsI go wonderin’ once againBack to the seasons of my youthI recall a box of rags that someone gave usAnd how my momma put the rags to useThere were rags of many colorsEvery piece was smallAnd I didn’t have a coatAnd it was way down in the fallMomma sewed the rags togetherSewin’ every piece with loveShe made my coat of many colorsThat I was so proud ofAs she sewed, she told a storyFrom the bible, she had readAbout a coat of many colorsJoseph wore and then she saidPerhaps this coat will bring youGood luck and happinessAnd I just couldn’t wait to wear itAnd momma blessed it with a kiss

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